Biobanking (2024)

University of Geneva

This training aims to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for establishing and managing a biobank. Its goal is to enhance the quality, management, and networking of biobanks in clinical laboratory medicine and research.

• Acquire the knowledge and competencies required for the set-up, implementation, and day-to-day management of a biobank
• Speak a common language in the field of biobanks and gain in-depth comprehension of the different types and functions of biobanks, with the aim of understanding and designing the different steps involved in setting up a biobank in a specific context
• Develop the skills required to design the practical implementation, day-to-day management, and continuous improvement of biobanking management, by applying the concepts covered in practical case studies

Beginners to specialized professionals in Switzerland and abroad, working with biological samples and wishing to acquire harmonized and proper knowledge and competencies in biobanking: medical doctors, biologists, biochemists, pharmacists, researchers, biobank managers, data managers, clinical investigators, ethics committees, patient organisations, etc.

• The Basics of biobanking (100% online - July 2024, Self-Paced Learning)
• Implementation of the biobanking processes (Q2 2025)
• Professional management of a biobank (Q2 2026)

• E-learning
• Online interactive teaching, promoting interaction among peers and with teachers and experts
• A combination of lectures, case studies and individual practical excercises performed online

The Certificate of Advanced Studies in Biobanking / le Certificat de formation continue en Biobanking is granted by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva upon decision by the Steering Committee once all requirements of the programme regulations have been met by the participant and fees have been paid.

Candidates eligible for admission to the CAS or for one or more individual modules must meet one of the following requirements:

• Hold a university master’s degree in biology or medicine, a license or diploma in a relevant field from a Swiss university, or a title from a foreign university deemed equivalent by the Steering Committee
• Hold a master’s degree from a Swiss Haute Ecole Spécialisée (HES) in a relevant field, or a title deemed equivalent by the Steering Committee
• Hold a bachelor’s degree (university baccalaureate) from a Swiss university or HES in a relevant field, or a title deemed equivalent by the Steering Committee and provide proof of a full-time professional experience of at least 3 years

Academic Members

• Prof. Carlo R. Largiadèr, Head of Liquid Biobank Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
• Prof. Walter Reith, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Health Sciences e-Training Foundation (HSeT)

 

Experts

• Dr Christine Joye, Executive Director of the Swiss Biobanking Platform (SBP)
• Prof. Hervé Bourhy, Institut Pasteur (IP) Paris
• Dr Monica Sala, Institut Pasteur (IP) Paris
• Julien Virzi, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG)

• Copy of ID/passport
• Photo
• CV
• Cover letter
• Copy of diplomas

Any withdrawal before the start of the programme will incur a cancellation fee of CHF 400[.]00. Enrollment fee will be payable in full once the course has begun.

• Teaching and Research Members of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva
• International experts in the field of biobanking from the Swiss and European SBP Network, and from the Pasteur Network

More information